Mets manager Terry Collins downplayed rumors that he wants the team's front office to release Luis Castillo and said that the second baseman has "picked it up" recently, according to Rich Coutinho of MetsBlog. Despite Collins' statements, the Mets' second base situation remains murky.
Mike Puma of the New York Post hears that Collins remains committed to making Luis Hernandez the team's starting second baseman, but Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork hears that Hernandez has just an "outside" shot at the job (Twitter links).
Hernandez and Castillo are in competition with Daniel Murphy and Rule 5 pick Brad Emaus for the starting second base job. Castillo is set to earn $6MM in 2011, the last year of his four-year, $25MM contract and the Mets appear prepared to absorb the 35-year-old's salary if he doesn't have a role on the team. He hit .235/.337/.267 last year and spent 47 days on the DL recovering from a left foot injury.
Doesn’t matter at this point. It’s the best of the worst.
I doubt they’ll release him or anyone making significant money because the team would have to come up with the entire year of salary (or the smaller buyout amount if they release them soon). That is important to consider when the team is having a very hard time meeting expenses right now and keep taking out $25 million loans just to stay in business. Giving one player $6 million to go away makes no sense in that financial situation. If they were to keep Castillo they should have an easier time paying him because they’ll have income coming in throughout the season from ticket sales, concessions, parking, etc.
When you drop a player you have to pay their entire salary owed to them right then? If so then yeah we’re stuck with both ollie and Castillo as our Brokepons have a “cash Flow” Problem.
Does Luis Hernandez drop pop flys?
Luis Hernandez in his prime will never be as good as Luis Castillo at age 64. Hernandez is AWFUL.
Puma is the worst beat writer in baseball. Ignore anything that man types.
I’d prefer anyone to Castillo
Weak… I’d prefer Castillo’s experience and ability to advance runners over any of the other candidates. Castillo is an effective number 2, but I like Pagan there, so I’d put him at 8, maybe even 9 (LaRussa style)
You not been watching the Mets games in the last two years? yep you not be watching. Yes, you have refrained from partaking in the observation of our famished organization that is referred to as the New York Mets.
well, i have been watching and i can tell you that castillo has been turned into a scapetgoat by the ny media desperately trying to explain why the mets fail to perform to expectations.
Might as well give Emaus or Murphy a chance to show what they can do as everyday players at second base. There is literally nothing at all to lose…
Luis Hernandez? Is it too early to fire Terry Collins?
come on dude. this guy is tough as nails, breaking his foot then on the next pitch homering? this is exactly what this team needs.
Maybe he should break his foot more often. Seems like that’s the only way he’s gonna hit.
Why is the manager making roster decisions? Sandy Alderson assembles a great team of baseball talent evaluators but instead of using them the Mets allow the manager to adjust the roster. This is beyond stupid.
I understand that releasing Luis Castillo is a sunk cost for this season, but you can’t look at things one year at a time. Baseball doesn’t end after this year, it is continuous. Brad Emaus NEEDS to make the 25 man roster. If not, he gets sent back to Toronto for half the price they picked him for. He is a solid prospect and will be extremely cheap for the next few years. Does it really matter if he struggles? The Mets aren’t winning anything, let him play. Daniel Murphy is another guy who should make the team in a ulitly type role. For a team with financial difficulties there is no reason to let go of young, cost controled players.
Are the Mets really going to let Terry Collins make Luis Hernandez, and his minor league OPS of .633, the starter perhaps forcing Emaus away? Stupid. Luis Hernandez is the definition of a replacement player, you don’t let a replacement player get in the way of young player development.
i think we should all just ignore the manager comment
It’s an unsubstantiated Mike Puma article. You probably put more thought into your post than he put into the article.